lundi 14 septembre 2009

IN BRIEF:Based on the lives of Reg and Dorothy Calvert between 1946 - 1966. They fall in love at 18, marry and struggle together to succeed in the world. The play is with music and has sensitivity, humour, conflict, tragedy and finally ends with intrigue.

PART ONE: SCHOOL OF ROCK & ROLLDorothy dreams of a home and stability. Reg constantly moves from one enterprise to another. When he first hears Bill Haley's 'Rock around the Clock' he decides to put together 'rock' bands and run dance halls for teenagers. They buy Clifton Hall near Rugby, which becomes known as the School of Rock & Roll. Reg manages many succesful bands including Pinkerton's Colours, Danny Storm, The Fortunes, The Rocking Berries and Screaming Lord Sutch etc.

PART TWO: DEATH OF PIRATE RADIORadio Caroline, a Pirate Radio Station has started to broadcast off the east coast and Reg Calvert and Screaming Lord Stuch plan a publicity campaign.. to start another pirate station. Soon, Sutch leaves Reg to carry on and he begins to make the station a success. Radio Atlanta want to go into partnership with him but they run out of money. Radio London make him a very good offer but before Reg can sign the papers, the station is boarded and taken over by a gang led by Major Smedley from Radio Atlanta on the pretext that he had a very valuable transmitter on the station. When Reg goes to see him to discuss the boarding, Smedley is waiting, with a gun.....

mercredi 8 avril 2009

Reg Calvert was one of the great hustlers of the fifties and sixties music scene, managing a stable of solo singers and succesful groups – including Screaming Lord Sutch, The Fortunes, the Rocking Berries amongst them.

Alongside Larry Parnes and Don Arden, Reg Calvert was one of the main figures in the emerging British Rock scene. Contrary to his two main rivals, he paid his protégés a basic wage with all there living accommodation and food as part of the contract. He was one of the first to import Rock & Roll music from the U.S.A. such as Bill Haley and Chuck Berry in Europe. He was also the first in the U.K. to run 'rock and roll' dances for teenagers and open air rock concerts.

BIOGRAPHY

Born in 1938, Reg Calvert started out as a qualified hairdresser then ran a sweet shop in Northam, Southampton, and later a sweet stall on local fairgrounds. In the evenings, to earn extra money, he played the piano in local clubs and also compered for the big bands.

When the arrival of american Rock & Roll music captured the teenager public's imagination in the mid 1950's, he tried to persuade the managers of the dancehalls to play it instead of Big Bands.His idea was first to use the fairground’s Dodgem Bumper Car track as travelling dancehall all over the country.He started to use the expression 'teenager' to promote his dances.Then he searched all over the south and London for good musicians and singers to form into bands and found dancehalls to put his proper 'shows' on - with variety, comedy and competitions. Star drummer Rory Blackwell, Marty Wilde and Cliff Richard came onto the scene.

In the late 1950's, he ran various dance halls round the Midlands where he booked a few theme and copycat acts, on of the first to do look alike bands. The Nevitt Brothers or the Dowlands which were Everly Brothers sounding duos. Buddy Britain & the Regents, were a Buddy Holly tribute acts. Danny Storm was a Cliff Richard look-alike plastered etc. At that time Reg Calvert owned two houses in Portland Terrace, Southampton, and one of them housing a small printing firm in the basement by the name of ‘Hartex’and producing advertising leaflets, flyers and posters.

Circa 1961, The Calvert family moved to Clifton Hall, near Rugby and most of Reg Calvert's bands lived at his house there, where they practised by day.The place was also known as “The School of Rock’n’Roll”.

In the early Sixties more and more bands wanted Reg Calvert to manage them including Screaming Lord Sutch & the Savages, so he started an agency in London with Terry King, called “Kings Agency”.

The following year, Reg Calvert and Screaming Lord Sutch plotted a fantastic publicity campaign during the Profumo affair. Reg Calvert suggested Sutch to stand for parliament at the The Stratford-upon-Avon By Election in august 1963. Dorothy Calvert came up with the idea that his campaign should be for 'Votes for 18 year olds.'

Then Screaming Lord Sutch decided to launch himself into the pirate radio field circa 1964.Radio Sutch launched at the end of May 1964 from Shivering Sands anti-aircraft fort in the Thames but originally it was Reg Calvert’s own idea.As his daughter, Susan recalls, Reg had always dreamed of having his own local radio station – “and when the family moved to Clifton Hall - he applied for a Radio Broadcasting licence.”

“When Radio Caroline started (using the Fortunes song 'Caroline' as the theme tune) in early 1964, Reg knew that his dream could become reality. Unfortunately - he had just spent all his 'spare' cash trying to get a nightclub started at Loughborough.”

“Reg and Dave Sutch planned a new publicity campaign - as neither of them could afford to have a 'ship' suitable to run a radio station from.” So they hired a fishing trawler Cornucopia on the Thames and sailed through London, having a Rock’n’Roll party with the Savages and friends - saying it was 'Radio Sutch.'

In fact, they had been using this boat during 2 weeks, to anchor off Shoeburyness in the Thames estuary he broadcast as Radio Sutch, until he discovered the Shivering Sands army fort.

In September 1964, Reg Calvert bought out Screaming Lord Sutch and changed the name of the station to Radio City. A new more powerful transmitter was installed and over the months that followed the station gradually grew in power, in proficiency and in revenue.

By 1966, Radio City began to re-broadcast Caroline's news and plug some of the bigger station's programmes.A certain Major Oliver Smedley, a chartered accountant, who ran a station called Radio Atlanta, persuaded Reg Calvert that he would provide a much more powerful transmitter and they could go into partnership together.The transmitter was delivered to the fort, intended to be used by Caroline when it jumped ship. But the merger plans collapsed.

Reg Calvert and Caroline's great rival, Radio London decided to launch a new sweet music station from the fort - To be called UKGM (United Kingdom Good Music).

Smedley claimed ownership of the transmitter and, on the night of 19th/20th June 1966 sent a group of burly dock workers to take possession of Shivering Sands. They surprised the sleeping occupants and locked the disc-jockeys and engineers out of their studio. Smedley wanted his transmitter back or he wanted a piece of the UKGM deal. So that evening Reg Calvert took with him money to pay off the boarders but unfortunately was shot dead when visiting Smedley's home, Duck Street, Wendens Ambo.This tragic loss signalled the beginning of the end for British offshore radio as the killing spurred the Government into legislative action. BBC Radio One started to broadcast the following year using the disc-jockeys from the former pirate radios and playing pop music for the younger audience.

Nevertheless, Reg Calvert was well ahead of his time and the concepts he pioneered changed the style and direction not only of the British music scene and entertainment but also British politics forever.

Thanks to Dorothy Calvert and Susan Moore (nee Calvert), respectively Reg Calvert’s widow and daughter for their recollections and photographsSusan Moore has just completed writing a musical play 'THE SCHOOL OF ROCK & ROLL' and the 'DEATH OF PIRATE RADIO.'

Celebrity singers and performers were booked into the shows including the Billy Fury, The Rolling Stones and the Beatles.

“THE SCHOOL OF ROCK & ROLL”In the late 1950's, Reg Calvert ran various dance halls round the Midlands where he booked a few theme and copycat acts, on of the first to do look alike bands. The Nevitt Brothers or the Dowlands which were Everly Brothers sounding duos. Buddy Britain & the Regents, were a Buddy Holly tribute acts. Danny Storm was a Cliff Richard look-alike plastered etc.

Most of Reg Calvert's bands lived at one of his houses in Clifton Hall, near Rugby, where they practised by day. The place was also known as “the School of Rock and Roll”.The drummers were sent to the 'barns' to practice because they were too the noisy.

In the early Sixties more and more bands wanted Reg Calvert to manage them including Screaming Lord Sutch & the Savages, so he started an agency in London with agent Terry King, called “Kings Agency”.

From the 9th to the 12th of May 1962, Screaming Lord Sutch & the Savages did a 3 day Tour for Reg Calvert. Ritchie Blackmore made his debut with the Savages during this tour. He and drummer Carlo Little were paid each other £16.

Dorothy Calvert recalls the beginning of their partnership with Screaming Lord Sutch:“David was booked to play In Exmouth the first time he worked for us. At that time I was running the Devon venues and it was quite something when David drove up in a van that was coverted to carrying racks of clothes. He worked for us a lot and was always good entertainment. He had a book where he made a note of the acts so that he didn`t repeat tham if he was booked again.”

Susan Moore (nee Calvert) about the character Screaming Lord Sutch:“I remember him (Dave Sutch) very well. He used to come to stay at Clifton Hall with us. He was quite a character - and my father got on with him very well. They 'bounced' ideas off each other.”

“My father used to pay for most things - David rarely contributed to anything and I believe he didn't pay commission either for the bookings he had.”

“My mother disliked David. She thought he was 'dirty' i.e. he didn't bath enough - and she disliked his greasy black hair that was tied back in a pony tail. Unusual for the times - as all the other singers had short well groomed hair. All the other singers and musicians used their own kitchen - which adjoined our kitchen, and knocked the door when they wanted to come into our 'family' kitchen. David however, had no respect for this, and would come and sit with us in our kitchen - much to my mother's disapproval. Dad did not mind - and we would talk about anything and everything.”

STRATFORD-UPON-AVONThe following year, Reg Calvert and Screaming Lord Sutch plotted a fantastic publicity campaign during the Profumo affair. Reg Calvert suggested Sutch to stand for parliament at the The Stratford-upon-Avon By Election in august 1963. Dorothy Calvert came up with the idea that his campaign should be for 'Votes for 18 year olds.' And that was the first Screaming Lord Sutch’s political campaign, the first of his long political career that carried on with the Monster Raving Party.

Dorothy Calvert :“He was playing at Nuneaton for Reg when the news about Profumo broke and Reg Suggested that he stood for parliament as a publicity stunt. That was a lot of work for Reg and me as David didn’t have a clue.”

Susan Moore (nee Calvert)“I remember my Dad and David planning the first political campaign - round the kitchen table. We thought it was a crazy idea! 18 year olds would never get the vote!! They really enjoyed the politics - and did it as a one-off publicity campaign for David - never expecting him to carry on with the Monster Raving Party.”

RADIO SUTCH

Pictured Screaming Lord Sutch & the Savages on the Cornucopia on the Thames, in front of London Bridge, May 1964left to right: Terry King (Kings Agency), David Sutch, Brian Paul (road manager), Candy Calvert (13 year old broadcaster), Reg Calvert (Sutch's manager) with the Savages, dressed in animal skins and stone age gear - Pete Phillips (drums), ‘Pussy’ Mews (lead guitar), John (the band’s roadie), Paul Dean and Ronnie (bass guitar). At the back is Screaming Lord Sutch pictured on a kite.

Radio Sutch launched at the end of May 1964 from Shivering Sands anti-aircraft fort in the Thames - "Britain’s First Teenage Radio Station" on 194 metres (1542khz).

Brian Paul was the road manager of ‘Screaming’ Lord Sutch who used him for publicity. Sutch's manager, Reg Calvert took the idea of the launch a pirate radio station seriously. So Brian found himself roped into becoming a broadcaster.

First, they decided to do a gimmick to promote Sutch by hiring a fishing trawler Cornucopia and having a Rock’n’Roll party with the Savages and friends on the Thames. They sailed “through London playing Rock’n’Roll - saying that this was Radio Sutch.”

As his daughter, Susan recalls, Reg Calvert had always dreamed of having his own local radio station – “and when the family moved to Clifton Hall - near Rugby - he applied for a Radio Broadcasting licence - although at the time - no one in the country was allowed to run commercial radio.”

“When Radio Caroline started (using 'Caroline' as the theme tune which was recorded by the Fortunes, a group my father managed), Reg knew that his dream could become reality - if he had enough money! Unfortunately - he had just spent all his 'spare' cash trying to get a nightclub started at Loughborough.”

“Dave and my father sat in the car all evening - outside the Co-op Hall in Nuneaton on a Saturday night just after Radio Caroline first broadcast, planning how they could have a station.On the way home, he was really excited. They couldn't afford to have a 'ship' suitable to run a radio station from - but they were going to hire a boat on the Thames and had a Rock’n’Roll party with the Savages and friends - and do another publicity stunt for David - saying it was Radio Sutch.” Again - great publicity - which made Screaming Lord Sutch even more 'famous.'

In fact, Screaming Lord Sutch had been using this boat during 2 weeks, to anchor off Shoeburyness in the Thames estuary he broadcast as Radio Sutch, until he discovered the Shivering Sands army fort.

Susan:“A little later - my father discovered the war time forts in the Thames estuary - and he and Dave went out and messed about trying to do a broadcast with bits and pieces from the Towers - as a bit of a lark and publicity campaign. David however - soon lost interest and back to performing - but my father was determined to make it a success. He decided to carry on and changed the name to RADIO CITY.”

In late May 1964, along with the Savages, dressed in animal skins and stone-age gear, Sutch set sail from Leigh-On-Sea, Essex on board the Lowestoft registered fishing trawler The Cornucopia. Along with the motley crew, a large amount of equipment and supplies were taken aboard for later use in the station's new base.

Sutch's party boarded the tower, and began transferring the supplies and equipment for the station from The Cornucopia.On the last trip in from broadcasting on the Cornocopia Sutch and his crew spotted the old wartime gun platforms at Shivering Sands.

On 27th May 1964, Radio Sutch was back on the air with it's first track being Screaming Lord Sutch's very own Jack The Ripper.

In September 1964, fed up with the bureaucratic side of running a pirate radio station (due to touring and recording commitments), Screaming Lord Sutch sold the station to his manager Reg Calvert who changed the name of the station to Radio City and installed new, and better equipment. A new more powerful transmitter was installed and over the months that followed the station gradually grew in power, in proficiency and in revenue.

Unfortunately this big adventure ended with Reg Calvert’s death, 2 years later.It was a tragic loss not only for Reg's family and friends but also for the whole British music scene and entertainment. It signalled the beginning of the end for British offshore radio as the killing spurred the Government into legislative action.BBC Radio One started to broadcast in September 1967, using the disc-jockeys from the former pirate radios and playing pop music for the younger audience.

Thanks to Dorothy Calvert and Susan Moore (nee Calvert), respectively Reg Calvert’s widow and daughter for their recollections and photographs

If you want to know more about the subject, Susan Moore has just completed writing a musical play 'THE SCHOOL OF ROCK & ROLL' and the 'DEATH OF PIRATE RADIO.'

Buddy Britain - Real name Geoffrey Gloverwright – was one of Reg Calvert’s tribute acts. He had been highly touted for several years as Britain’s answer to Buddy Holly. He looked like Buddy Holly, did a pretty good imitation of the voice as well, and had Holly’s guitar style off perfect. He was also a really good R & B performer - with mainly a 'male' following. Dorothy Calvert was his manager. He moved from Southampton to Clifton Hall with the Calvert Family and stayed with them until 1963.He was backed by a West London based group called the Regents. Even drummer Keith Moon had passed an audition for the Regent prior to join the Who. Another legendary drummer Carlo Little (Screaming Lord Sutch & the Savages, Cyril Davies R’n’B All Stars,The Rollingstones etc.) was with them for some months during 1964. By 1965, Buddy Britten & the Regents transformed itself into Simon Raven Cult.Their last line up became the last incarnation of Johnny Kidd & The Pirates.Between 1962 and 1966, Geoff Gloverwright and his various backing bands released ten singles.

Members of Britten's groups' later line-ups would of course become members of the New Pirates in 1966.

vendredi 3 avril 2009

Mike West aka “Robbie Hood” started with an audition with John Kennedy, Tommy Steele's manager, at the Two I's Coffee Bar when they were looking for a new Tommy Steele. Then he formed his own band, the Mike West Group, that became the resident band at Wandworth Town Hall in 1958. Their new manager, Guy Robinson introduced singer Fred Heath to them. He guest-performed "If You Were The Only Girl In The World", after which he joined the group full-time and roped in John “Fruit” Gordon as the full-time bassist. They called them “The Fred, Mike and Tom Show”, and all three singers shared the limelight before West and Brown stepped aside to provide backing vocals to Heath, to allow him, the better vocalist take centre-stage.By the way Mike West had a terrible squint and he often hid it with an eye-patch. Heath would Later fully exploit the prop.

Saturday 18th April was their first recording session at the Abbey Road studios in north-west London.They decided to work on a number entitled "Please Don't Touch". As they entered, they were given a piece of paper with the name “Johnny Kidd & the Pirates” recording session and Fred Heath had suddenly a new recording name that became his stage name until his death.

On June 6th 1959, they appeared on BBC Radio Saturday Club #36. There was hardly time for nerves as the rest of the band were mercilessly taking the mickey out of Mike West - he turned up wearing an eye patch due to a nasty stye, and Brian Matthews even asks him about it on air.

In late 1959, Mike West left Johnny Kidd & the Pirates and formed his own group first with former Pirates Tony Doherty (lead guitar), John “Fruit” Gordon (bass) Tony McKay (drums) adding two musicians who stood-ins for them earlier, Pete Newman (tenor sax) and Vic Clark (rhythm Guitar). They first called themselve “The Federals” after the Federal Road where Clark lived, then “Mike West & The Silhouettes”. Both Newman and Clark left to join a north London outfit called Johnny Dark & The Midnighters that eventually went on to become the new Screaming Lord Sutch’s Savages during a big part of 1960. Meanwhile Mike West teamed up with new musicians: Micky Cottle (drums) and Carl Hasden (bass) who owned the first five-string bass in the UK, custom-made by Johnny "Fruit" Gordon. The band gradually had a complete change of personnel and went on to record some records for EMI. Their debut single was with a Heath original, "Tell Me When".

Mike West went on to become Robbie Hood and was managed by Reg Calvert, with some success.Reg paid for him to see an eye surgeon and he had an operation to correct his squint. Mike didn’t stay long at Clifton Hall, because he wouldn’t work within the rules there.

His backing group - The Merrie Men, later became the main part of the Fortunes with another singer - Glen Dale.They made several hits, with 'Caroline' 'You've Got your Troubles, I've got mine', 'Look Homeward Angel' etc.